Hard Times Bring Out The Best In Volunteer Spirit

Despite the current economic downturn, an army of volunteers is as busy as ever in the Lehigh Valley.

If anything, their numbers may be increasing, since layoffs and work slowdowns mean more time for other things, like community service.

At the same time, cutbacks in programs run by governmental agencies are causing a need for more volunteers.

For many Lehigh Valley companies, volunteer programs remain a source of pride.

At Binney & Smith Inc. of Easton, manufacturers of Crayolas and Liquitex materials, the volunteer spirit is alive and well.

"Our program is flourishing," said Marta Boulos, community service representative. "Last year we had 250 employees doing volunteer work and this year we hope to increase this to 300."

Boulos noted that as economic times get tougher, people's needs are greater and this spurs volunteerism.

"When cash resources are low, there are still lots of human resources to help where maybe dollars can't," she remarked.

Last year, Binney & Smith -- among other honors for volunteering -- was added to President George Bush's list of "1,000 points of light."

"That means if he's ever in the Lehigh Valley, he would try to visit our company and would be willing to refer to us in any of his speeches as an outstanding local example of volunteer programs in business," said Boulos.

The congratulatory letter from Bush came from the White House in September after the company invited the president to its fifth annual volunteers-recognition dinner.

At Dorney Park in South Whitehall Township, the area's biggest amusement park and an employer of many young people, spokesman Michael Crowther said many employees are community service volunteers and the park holds activities to honor and reward volunteers.

The park rewards some volunteer groups by hosting special events for them.

Crowther explained: "We set aside a day each year for emergency services volunteers (firemen and ambulance workers) in the Lehigh Valley. We try to recognize their dedication and professionalism by offering them a picnic, with free food and refreshments and rides for the day," he said.

"Others who receive such special treatment are the March of Dimes and the Muscular Dystrophy Read-a-thon," he said.

Crowther added the park has held a picnic for the Lehigh Valley homeless and their families. The event was organized by a local church group whose members brought the homeless to the park for free food and rides.

At Mack Trucks Inc., "We remain committed to volunteer work in community service," said spokesman James Santanasto.

"We have our own community relations office and we provide not only many hours of manpower but our facilities as well, for use by volunteer groups."

As an example, he said, the Sertoma Club has its fund-raising auction in the Mack company auditorium, where a number of community organizations have also been invited to hold their meetings.

Robin Crawford, manager of government and community relations for Mack, added that the engineering test center track is used annually by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for its fund-raising Bike-a-thon.

Mack encourages its workers to do community service by highlighting volunteer projects in its monthly and quarterly newsletters and other publications.

Air Products and Chemicals Inc., a Trexlertown-based company that has 4,500 employees in the Lehigh Valley, reports that 70 percent are involved in community service work on a voluntary basis.

"We figured that translates to about 100,000 hours a year," said Mary Egervary, community relations representative.

"We're very proud to report that 44 percent of our employees, at all levels, including management, expressed a desire to do volunteer work or to expand on what they are doing already," she said.

The company is high-profile in its support of the United Way, Scouting (six active Explorer posts on campus), Junior Achievement, and in providing food for shelters for the homeless and needy.

The management of ALPO Petfoods Inc. supports volunteer program by employees in their communities, said Dick Hunt, director of community relations.

In the past two years, ALPO has sponsored the Lehigh Valley Volunteer Fair in conjunction with the United Way Voluntary Action Center. The fair provides more than 100 local organizations with a chance to publicize their activities and to recruit volunteers.

The company helps Leader Dogs for the Blind and Guiding Eyes for the Blind by donating food and puppies.

Its parent company, Grand Metropolitan, recently established a volunteer mandate for all its subsidiary companies. As a result, ALPO is developing several volunteer programs for its workers and retirees.

The overall initiative is REACH (Recognizing Actions in Community Help) and will include $6,000 in grants starting in 1992, time off for employees doing volunteer work, and other incentives.